Serbia’s President Vucic resigns ahead of October elections, paves way for early vote

Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on Sunday, ending his second and final five-year term and paving the way for early presidential elections, Reuters reports.

The resignation, coming seven months before his term was due to end, aligns with campaigning for Serbia’s October 25 snap parliamentary vote and allows Vucic to be appointed prime minister should his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) form the next government.

“This is the last evening for me in this building… I have faithfully served you and my fatherland, Serbia… I am proud of what we have done together,” Vucic told cheering supporters gathered outside the Presidency building in Belgrade.

Under Serbia’s constitution, outgoing parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic will serve as interim president until a new one is elected, with the presidential vote required within 90 days. “By the end of December… we will have the first round of presidential elections,” Vucic said, having earlier announced his intention to step down over the summer.

The snap parliamentary election will pit his SNS and allies against the student-led Students Win movement and the pro-Western European Serbia alliance, both of which have yet to name their presidential candidates — setting the stage for a pivotal few months in Serbian politics.